In this opportunity, is going to be explained how is the inside and outside circulation (divided in Vertical and Horizontal circulation) of Salt Lake City’s Public Library and its surroundings; located in Utah, United States. This public library has an unique structure and posses a square which is located in the grounds around the building. The Library breaks out the straight lines and 90 degree angles that typify American Architecture.
It is not an ordinary and plain library, it has interesting features like patrons to walk to the top floor and enjoy a spectacular view of the city space and mountains. This is a monumental and great example of a dynamic library that has also won Library Journal's 2006 library of the year award.
Vertical Circulation:
• The vertical circulation inside the building is expressed mainly with stairways in spiral and oval shape, the last one creates some landings to reduce the risk of falls.
• There are also three glass elevators that are very useful to reach the upper floors, with a capacity of 5 people approximately; it is said that with every floor that the user goes up, it gets quieter, so the study areas are in these upper floors, far from the noisy lower floors.
• Outside the building the vertical circulation is expressed trough the pathways that lead to the roof, where the user can enjoy a wonderful view of the surroundings of the building.
Horizontal Circulation:
• The horizontal circulation inside the building is straight with easy perception of the surrounding areas and with expressed access to the stairs and elevators (main points of interest for the user).
• Also the corridors where are the book shelves are traditionally straight with good sight to the books and a center help desk in circular shape which helps the tridimensional circulation of the space.
• There is also a reception desk in the main floor that has circular shape, which helps to conceive the place in a tridimensional way since the beginning.
• On the other hand, the horizontal circulation on the outside of the building is leaded by straight paths to the entrances, with frontal approach.
• The path to the library is not completely straight, it has some curvy lines that make it more flexible and relaxed, preparing the visitor for the entrance to the structure and it gives a beautiful view to the building, letting the user see its whole form and shape.
The Salt Lake City library is a wonderful example of a modern library, which has different features and is not only a storage of books, this place is created for all kinds of cultural expressions, since it has a square for events and different rooms for different purposes: studying, computer rooms, coffee shops, etc. and its circulation in the interior as in the exterior is made in order for the user and visitor to have a relaxing experience, but without forgetting the main points of the buildings such as: stairways, elevators and room’s access.
Salt Lake City Library
In this opportunity, is going to be explained how is the inside and outside circulation (divided in Vertical and Horizontal circulation) of Salt Lake City’s Public Library and its surroundings; located in Utah, United States. This public library has an unique structure and posses a square which is located in the grounds around the building. The Library breaks out the straight lines and 90 degree angles that typify American Architecture.It is not an ordinary and plain library, it has interesting features like patrons to walk to the top floor and enjoy a spectacular view of the city space and mountains. This is a monumental and great example of a dynamic library that has also won Library Journal's 2006 library of the year award.
Vertical Circulation:
• The vertical circulation inside the building is expressed mainly with stairways in spiral and oval shape, the last one creates some landings to reduce the risk of falls.
• There are also three glass elevators that are very useful to reach the upper floors, with a capacity of 5 people approximately; it is said that with every floor that the user goes up, it gets quieter, so the study areas are in these upper floors, far from the noisy lower floors.
• Outside the building the vertical circulation is expressed trough the pathways that lead to the roof, where the user can enjoy a wonderful view of the surroundings of the building.
Horizontal Circulation:
• The horizontal circulation inside the building is straight with easy perception of the surrounding areas and with expressed access to the stairs and elevators (main points of interest for the user).
• Also the corridors where are the book shelves are traditionally straight with good sight to the books and a center help desk in circular shape which helps the tridimensional circulation of the space.
• There is also a reception desk in the main floor that has circular shape, which helps to conceive the place in a tridimensional way since the beginning.
• On the other hand, the horizontal circulation on the outside of the building is leaded by straight paths to the entrances, with frontal approach.
• The path to the library is not completely straight, it has some curvy lines that make it more flexible and relaxed, preparing the visitor for the entrance to the structure and it gives a beautiful view to the building, letting the user see its whole form and shape.
The Salt Lake City library is a wonderful example of a modern library, which has different features and is not only a storage of books, this place is created for all kinds of cultural expressions, since it has a square for events and different rooms for different purposes: studying, computer rooms, coffee shops, etc. and its circulation in the interior as in the exterior is made in order for the user and visitor to have a relaxing experience, but without forgetting the main points of the buildings such as: stairways, elevators and room’s access.
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